Micropatterning of neurons using organic substrates in culture

In this study, we have used spatially defined surfaces of organic thin films to micropattern the outgrowth of central nervous system neurons in culture. Glass substrates were first chemically modified with synthetic peptides derived from an extra-cellular matrix protein laminin to couple a functionality that promotes a neuron-substrate interaction. The modification procedure was verified using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, The functionality of the modified glass surfaces was examined by growing neurons dissociated from mammalian central nervous tissues in culture, Spatially defined surfaces of the peptide were then fabricated by selectively attaching the peptide to coplanar surfaces that were produced via deep UV laser lithography of self-assembled monolayer films. The interaction of the neurons and substrates confined the attachment of cell bodies on the defined surfaces and allowed the extension of neuritic processes along the defined pathways, Atomic force microscopy revealed fine structures of the patterned neurons and enabled us to directly observe the substratum-guided neuronal outgrowth. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.